Hello all,
This is a recent completion for the UK Gunpla Modellers FB group 'scratch/mod' build off which ran from November 2016 until this week. With the aim of the GB being that all entries had to modified in some way, be that a custom paint job, scratch building, new panel lines etc. As per, despite having all that time I did the majority of the work in the last week or so in sessions snatched between completing assignments for my degree course and job hunting. Hence why it's a bit on the sloppy side. Still, I finished something for a GB and that shouldn't be taken likely, considering my previous form.
The base kit is Bandai's aging HGUC Zaku II from 2002 I believe, which is pretty low on detail but would make an ideal first kit for a younger or more inexperienced modeller. Those with more experience are probably likely to find it pretty lacking. Though if you're good at that sort of thing (which I'm not) I'm sure it would make a great blank canvas for detailing up. Due to my aforementioned time keeping issues I decided to go for the 'clean' look which I've not done before. I was wanting it to be more weathered (especially to hide where I'd failed at even the most elementary modelling techniques like removing seam lines....) but ran out of time.
In Brief the mods I added to the kit were as follows:
HGUC Zaku II (2002) RED 12
Mods:
-new panel lines on the torso, front and back skirts and feet... -monoeye and bazooka range finder both replaced with polished perspex rod.
-ribbing added to Zaku shield and right shoulder
-builders parts hands added
-backpack replaced with a modified version of the Gelgoog Jäger backpack
-left shoulder modified to shorten spikes
-stupid giraffe neck shortened
-'Red 12' colour scheme.
Paints used:
-Stynylrez primer, Tamiya, AK Xtreme Metals, Vallejo Model Air, Microscale Industries gloss and matt varnishes and Ammo panel washes.
Decals:
-Revell, Academy, Bandai and some rather rubbish third party Chinese ones.
I had a real struggle with the Bandai and knock off decals, the Bandai ones had yellowed pretty badly and were on pretty thick film and despite my best efforts silvered pretty badly in some places (though my being in a rush probably didn't help) the third party ones were on nice thin decal film but there was often too much of it meaning that there was a lot of careful trimming required, they also weren't that clearly printed and didn't respond at all to Microset/sol.
Toodles,
Paul

This is my MS-06F ZAKU II Gundam Suit - 1:100 Bandai Master Grade. The build can be seen here; http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234990205-ms-06f-zaku-ii-gundam-suit-1100-bandai-master-grade/
Thanks to Shane from Japan:cool for supplying the kit for the build review here on BM. I fear I am now doomed to buy some of these
Julien

Hi all,
So having started a new project I started another as soon as I got to the sanding stage. Funny that This was actually what I intended to do next but the sky-ship thing was too awesome not to get going with.
I want to make a smallish diorama using the bits from the UCHG "Zaku Ground War" set. The inspiration is a mix of ship breaking, Shelley's Ozymandias, and seeing Marc Reusser's Ma.K vignette in the AK magazine. The original plan was to have a derelict Zaku on the roadside with the two tanks passing in convoy, but I've changed this a bit since I started messing around.
The rusty Zaku is staying, but the vehicle will be a kitbashed/scratchbuilt survey rover based on a Lego one I built a few years back:
The rover is itself inspired by Chris Foss, Mass Effect and other '80s-esque sci-fi designs. I found some nice wheels on a Siku farm trailer (after searching two toyshops) and I've bought a Revell 1/144 Apache for the cockpit. The 1/144 version will be a larger, two (or more) person machine.
Anyway, here's a bit of work on the Zaku - one leg blown off and some simple detail additions.
(click for bigger)
I'm thinking about putting this on a round base since it should give a more useful photographic horizon. If I'm feeling really pretentious I might put the relevant lines around the circumference:
"Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away."
Cheers,
Will